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After the old man had left him Gahan made his way across the roof to the high
tower, which appeared to have been constructed of concrete and afterward
elaborately carved, its entire surface being covered with intricate designs cut deep
into the stone-like material of which it was composed. Though wrought ages
since, it was but little weather-worn owing to the aridity of the Martian
atmosphere, the infrequency of rains, and the rarity of dust storms. To scale it,
though, presented difficulties and danger that might have deterred the bravest of
men--that would, doubtless, have deterred Gahan, had he not felt that the life of
the woman he loved depended upon his accomplishing the hazardous feat.
Removing his sandals and laying aside all of his harness and weapons other than
a single belt supporting a dagger, the Gatholian essayed the dangerous ascent.
Clinging to the carvings with hands and feet he worked himself slowly aloft,
avoiding the windows and keeping upon the shadowy side of the tower, away from
the light of Thuria and Cluros. The tower rose some fifty feet above the roof of the
adjacent part of the palace, comprising five levels or floors with windows looking
in every direction. A few of the windows were balconied, and these more than the
others he sought to avoid, although, it being now near the close of the ninth zode,
there was little likelihood that many were awake within the tower.
His progress was noiseless and he came at last, undetected, to the windows of the
upper level. These, like several of the others he had passed at lower levels, were
heavily barred, so that there was no possibility of his gaining ingress to the
apartment where Tara was confined. Darkness hid the interior behind the first
window that he approached. The second opened upon a lighted chamber where
he could see a guard sleeping at his post outside a door. Here also was the top of
the runway leading to the next level below. Passing still farther around the tower
Gahan approached another window, but now he clung to that side of the tower
which ended in a courtyard a hundred feet below and in a short time the light of
Thuria would reach him. He realized that he must hasten and he prayed that
behind the window he now approached he would find Tara of Helium.
Coming to the opening he looked in upon a small chamber dimly lighted. In the
center was a sleeping dais upon which a human form lay beneath silks and furs.
A bare arm, protruding from the coverings, lay exposed against a black and
yellow striped orluk skin--an arm of wondrous beauty about which was clasped
an armlet that Gahan knew. No other creature was visible within the chamber, all
of which was exposed to Gahan's view. Pressing his face to the bars the Gatholian
whispered her dear name. The girl stirred, but did not awaken. Again he called,
but this time louder. Tara sat up and looked about and at the same instant a
huge eunuch leaped to his feet from where he had been lying on the floor close by
that side of the dais farthest from Gahan. Simultaneously the brilliant light of
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